Vengeance is Mine

Romans 12:19

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

I have often taken solace from this Scripture by thinking that God will repay those who hurt me. I prayed as David often did in the Psalms, “Lord, I thank you that you will repay my enemies for the evil they have done.” My focus was on God avenging me by bringing suffering upon the one who caused me to suffer. I wanted justice, and I was wrong. I now see this verse in a different light. The intent is not for God to repay suffering with suffering. Thank God He did not do that to me. God did not repay me for all of the times I stole a person’s innocence, security, patience, hope, kindness, gentleness, self-control, peace, joy, dignity, humility, trust, or love. God did not rob me of those things in the same way I have robbed others. In Christ, He has done quite the opposite and filled me with all of those virtues and more, despite what I deserve. Thank God He did not repay me with suffering when I caused others to suffer.

This verse is a promise of mercy, not justice. God is saying, “You are free to forgive that person for what they have done because I, your Heavenly Father, will restore what was lost. Don’t focus on the hurt, trust and know that I will heal your wounds and repay all that was lost.” Knowing that frees me to forgive from the heart. I can let go of the bitterness and resentment and trust that God will make all things right because He loves me and is the source of all good things. As Disciples of Christ, let us rise above ourselves and lay every offense at the feet of our Lord and Savior, who bore the sins of every person. Let us no longer pray as David did; instead, let us praise as he did. Let us thank God that He is the source of life and all good things. Let us surrender our desire for justice and put on the mind of Christ, who always extends mercy.

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